The protective role of family structure for adolescent development in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Several studies have focused on the risk factors associated with adolescent developmental outcomes, but the literature on the role of protective factors at the family and community level for positive adolescent development is scarce, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We hypothesize that ensuring a supportive environment for adolescents may result in delayed sexual debut for adolescents in SSA. The relationship between family structure and positive adolescent sexual behaviour, measured as delay in sexual debut, was examined using the bioecological theory framed by a risk and resilience perspective. We used nationally representative data on female and male adolescents (aged 15–17 years) from 12 countries in SSA. We modelled logistic regressions to test for associations between family structure and delayed sexual debut while controlling for other covariates in SSA. The majority (90%) of the young adults delayed sexual debut, and this delay varied by family structure. After controlling for other covariates, adolescents living with neither parent had lower odds of delaying sexual debut although results were only significant for males. Interaction terms with community socio-economic status showed an interaction between community education and males living with neither parent. Future studies must investigate the gender differentials in the relationship between family structure and delayed sexual debut among adolescents in SSA.

The Effect of Family Living Arrangement on Delayed Sexual Debut Among Female Teenagers in Indonesia

“…Our findings above illustrate that female adolescent who live with both parents had higher odds of delaying sexual debut, although results were not significant. Similar results were seen from a study in Africa (Somefun & Odimegwu, 2018). Many scholars hold the view that family has a strong influence on adolescent's sexual behavior.…”

“…Parents' engagement and communication are important to adolescents' development of sexual values and attitudes (Noller & Atkin, 2014). In addition, various studies have also shown the relation of family structure and living arrangement on delayed sexual initiation (Pilgrim et al, 2014;Somefun & Odimegwu, 2018;Stark et al, 2016;Tenkorang & Adjei, 2015).…”

Transactional sex among Nigerian university students: The role of family structure and family support

“…Single parents may have more difficulty in supervising the behaviour of young adults compared to their counterparts who have two parents. It has been documented both in developed [51–53] and developing settings [54, 55] that young adults raised in single-parent households are more likely to exhibit adverse behavioural outcomes. The mechanism through which this occurs could be through the support and parental interaction that could be available in a two-parent household.…”

Protective sexual behaviours among young adults in Nigeria: influence of family support and living with both parents

“…However, the practice of protective sexual behaviours and its determinants among this cohort has received little attention. A review of the literature shows that family structure (that is, living with single or both parents or none of them) is associated with the sexual behaviour of young people [16–18]. Other family-related factors like parent-adolescent sexual communication [19–21], parent-child co-residence instability [22] and socio-economic background [23] have been found to also influence the sexual behaviours of young people.…”